Stockholm Holidays 2012

Image by venteco

Stockholm is Sweden’s capital, and is comprised of 14 different islands connected by over fifty bridges over the lake. It’s by far one of Europe’s cleanest metropolitan cities, over 1/3 of the city is canals and waterways, while the other third is public green spaces and parks; urban sprawl meets nature making for a great experience!

What to See

When you visit Stockholm, be sure to check out Old Town (or Gamla Stan), the historic district of Stockholm. This historic district offers many medieval buildings, quiet dining experiences, and a chance to wander about on foot. Here you will find the Royal Palace which was constructed in the late 17th century; guided tours are available.

Surprisingly, Stockholm has many beaches within the city, and opportunities to go swimming abound all over the city. Afternoons on warm days may be packed with Swedish knocking off from work early, but there’s so many to choose from you don’t have to wander far to find a more secluded area. The most secluded is on the island of Langholmen, and the longest and most social is Smedsuddsbadet where many locals go to cool off from a long day of work. Here you will find a lot of beach sports and sunbathing, if that’s your thing.

If you fancy a bit of gambling and nightlife, there’s much to be hand in Stockholm. The best among the casinos is Casino Cosmopol, on Kungsgatan; you must be atleast 20, with a photo id and there is a formal dresscode required (business casual should work, but no sneakers and gym clothes!) The restaurant in the casino is rather good too, with steaks and other meals that will help you cool off after a winning streak.

If you like to shop, then you know that Sweden is one of the world’s greatest design counties. First, avoid the shopping district in Old Town, the prices are inflated and a tourist trap, lined with bad restaurants and cheap goods. Normalmstorg is the high street, with many posh boutiques that cater to the upscale buyer. Gotgatsbacken has a vibrant nightlife and many small designer fashion clothes shops in the Bruno Shopping Centre.

The SoFo district is where you can find many beautiful unique creations, like linens, glassware, furniture, and even some nice clothes too! If you’re on a budge, check out the Stockholm Quality Outlet, where you can get prices that are thirty to sixty percent less than the city centre shops.